Guys, I have a confession to make. I am not always 100% happy with my body. You too?!
Over the years I've evolved into the woman I am today (spiritually, emotionally, & physically) and as I look back at pictures, I can see the physical development that has happened through time. It surprises me that at no age was I ever truly confident with myself. I look at pictures from high school and college and think....for reals?! If only I could look like that now....
But back then, I didn't feel that way! It's cray-cray to think that we are continuing to raise generations of females that are constantly critiquing themselves and setting unrealistic goals.
Do you remember times growing up when you criticized yourself?
It's awful. It's criticism that is totally unwarranted. It was unwarranted then and its definitely unwarranted now. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Something that has always been close to my heart is exercise, fitness, and sports. Over the years, those things have stayed close to my heart, but for different reasons. When I was young, fitness equated to athleticism, fitting in, and acknowledgment.
(Good reasons or not...they were my reasons for staying fit.)
Today, fitness equates health; overall health. Spiritual health. Mental health. Physical health. And this health isn't just fitting into a certain size or weighing a certain amount. I've actually realized that health is cardiovascular, bone density, and overall nutrition.
Being healthy is beautiful.
Taking care of ourselves is beautiful. Imagine the impact you are making on young women when they see you lacing up your shoes to go workout as opposed to pushing your food around on your plate and pretending to eat. Imagine the impact you are making on a young woman (who is watching you whether you realize it or not) when they see you put down the bag of chips, get up off the couch, and
move instead of standing on a scale wishing for the numbers to change.
I'm not saying we all have to train for the Olympics or even run a marathon. What I am saying is that
true beauty and
confidence are rooted in what we
do.
If we do good, we feel good.
So, I had my husband take some pictures of me right after a long, hard run. Some of you may think these pictures aren't attractive. Some of you may be surprised that I would dare show you them. Honestly, these pictures display me at moments when I feel most attractive. I feel most confident and proud of my body after a good workout. It's amazing what my body can do when I take care of it and the ability to run 10 miles or complete 3 consecutive circuit workouts makes me feel beautiful.
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Tank: Champion, Capris: Target, Shoes: Mizuno |
Yes, I'm a sweaty mess, and no, I don't have biceps, but really this is me at my most beautiful. Being the ginger that I am, my face is beat red, and will probably be that way for hours after these images are posted, but still....I feel beautiful.
Just my thoughts on what makes us beautiful and how we (including me) need to
stop criticizing ourselves for not being that 4% of the population that can make it as a runway model.
What makes you feel most beautiful?